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John Moulder

John Moulder is a guitarist and composer whose music has evolved from an assimilation of various musical traditions. John’s compositions and playing are featured on his CDs entitled Awakening (Mo-Tonal Records 1993), Through the Open Door (Igmod/Mo-Tonal Records 1997), Spirit Talk (NAIM 2003) and his new release Trinity (Origin Records 2006). Televised feature stories on John and his work have aired on Artbeat (WTTW) and Chicago Tonight (WTTW). He also has played on recent recordings by vocalist Jackie Allen such as The Men in My Life (Blue Note 2003), Love is Blue (Blue Note 2004) and her new release Tangled (Blue Note 2006). John has been a member of the Paul Wertico Trio for twelve years. Recordings with Paul include Live in Warsaw (Igmod Records 1998), Don’t Be Scared Anymore (Premonition Records 2000), Stereonucleosis (A440 2004) and his upcoming release The Other Side (NAIM 2006). He has played nationally and internationally at numerous festivals, clubs and concert halls and has performed with artists such as Eddie Harris, Bob Mintzer, Kurt Elling, Paul McCandless, Lyle Mays, Paul Wertico, Gary Burton, Niels Orsted Pederson and Terry Callier. John received his Masters degree in music from Northwestern University. As an educator, he is currently a faculty member of Benedictine University and Northwestern University. He has lectured, taught master classes and conducted clinics at universities, high schools, music institutes and other settings.

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14
Album Review

John Moulder: Metamorphosis

Read "Metamorphosis" reviewed by Jack Bowers


As approximately fifty of the sixty-eight minutes on Chicago-based guitarist John Moulder's new CD, Metamorphosis, are devoted to the seven-part “Metamorphosis Suite," that seems an appropriate point at which to start any appraisal of its contents and purpose. First and foremost, it is clear that considerable thought was given to mapping the structure of the suite, and that Moulder's quartet came well-prepared to accept and conform to his frame of mind. Whether the end result is worthy of approval is ...

59
Album Review

John Moulder Quintet: The Eleventh Hour: Live at the Green Mill

Read "The Eleventh Hour:  Live at the Green Mill" reviewed by Dave Sumner


Whereas many of Chicago's jazz and blues guitar icons seem to channel the dark alleys and the bar sign neon of the city through their instruments, John Moulder's sound is more akin to a synthesis of the lakefront--a beauty and serenity that is just as likely to show a face of fury and cold precision. For some time now, Moulder has quietly been developing his sound into something quite unique. The Eleventh Hour provides the opportunity to hear it in ...

349
Album Review

Paul Wertico: Impressions Of A City

Read "Impressions Of A City" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Almost 40 years after its inception and despite many detractors among master musicians and critics, jazz-rock fusion continues to have a tenacious hold on both creators and consumers of instrumental music. Percussionist Paul Wertico's Impressions of a City puts a modern spin on the genre by creating a work that brings together jazz like improvisation and the sound of rock jam bands. The concept behind the CD is interesting; it is supposed to be free musical impressions ...

182
Album Review

John Moulder: Bifrost

Read "Bifrost" reviewed by David Rickert


It's probably inevitable that any review of any of John Moulder's recordings will mention that he is a Catholic priest. Not only is this an interesting dichotomy for most of us to reconcile--a century ago, people in Moulder's profession were calling jazz the devil's music--but it's also an indication that, just maybe, in exchange for his service the Almighty Father rewarded him with a record as fantastic as Bifröst, one of the best jazz records of 2009.

Moulder is not ...

1,145
Album Review

Paul Wertico's Mid East/Mid West Alliance: Impressions of a City

Read "Impressions of a City" reviewed by John Kelman


For those only familiar with his work in Pat Metheny Group, drummer Paul Wertico's extracurricular career will be something of a shock. He may have been all light cymbal work and gentle pulses with PMG, but on albums like The Sign of Four (Knitting Factory, 1997)--a freewheeling session with Metheny in a “beyond"-Song X (Nonesuch, 1985) mood, über-free guitarist Derek Bailey and intrepid percussionist Gregg Bendian--Wertico proved that PMG's accessible grooves were but only one of his many diverse interests.

455
Album Review

John Moulder: Bifrost

Read "Bifrost" reviewed by John Kelman


A longtime member of ex-Pat Metheny Group drummer Paul Wertico's trio, enough has already been written about John Moulder's double life as jazz guitarist and ordained priest. Bifröst is Moulder's follow-up to the ambitious and eclectic Trinity (Origin, 2006), where the guitarist's spirituality became a touchstone for music ranging from the ethereal to the grounded, and from elegant folklore to potent, angst-driven fusion. What makes Bifröst even more satisfying is its narrowing of focus down from a larger cast of ...

214
Album Review

John Moulder: Trinity

Read "Trinity" reviewed by John Kelman


While it's possible to overstate the importance of parallel careers, it's difficult to avoid touching on the subject when it comes to John Moulder. The ordained priest has also managed an active musical career in Chicago as a guitarist, most notably as a member of ex-Pat Metheny Group drummer Paul Wertico's trio for the past 12 years. It's easy to forget Moulder's spiritual leanings on albums like Spirit Talk (Naim, 2003), a standards-based duo record with vibraphonist Ken Hall. But ...

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Paul Wertico's Drums...

Da Vinci Classics
2023

buy

Metamorphosis

New Origins Records
2021

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First Date

Chickadisc
2019

buy

The Eleventh Hour: ...

Origin Records
2012

buy

Bifrost

Origin Records
2010

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Live From SPACE [DVD]

gangentertainment
2010

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Game Changer

From: Metamorphosis
By John Moulder

Time Being

From: The Eleventh Hour
By John Moulder

Bifrost

From: Bifrost
By John Moulder

Exodus

From: Trinity
By John Moulder

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